AMSCO Unit 4.3

What was the Columbian Exchange?

The widespread transfer of plants, animals, disease, people, and ideas between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres following Columbus's voyages.

Why did indigenous people lack immunities to European diseases?

Indigenous people were isolated and had no prior exposure to these diseases.

What else began to settle in the Americas along with colonists?

Insects, rats, and other disease-carrying animals, leading to a population decline of over 50% in some areas.

Why was the population decline due to the Columbian Exchange significant?

It was one of the greatest population disasters in human history, with some lands losing up to 90% of their population.

What were the significant items exchanged in the Eastern Hemisphere?

Pigs, cows, wheat, and grapes became staples in the American diet; horses transformed hunting and culture.

What crops from the Western Hemisphere became popular?

Maize, potatoes, tomatoes, beans, peppers, and cacao caused tremendous population growth.

Why did the population in Africa grow despite the transatlantic slave trade?

Nutritious foods introduced during the Columbian Exchange contributed to population growth.

What cash crop did Portugal focus on growing?

Sugarcane in Brazil.

Why did Portugal have a labor shortage for sugarcane production?

Disease affected the local population, leading to the importation of enslaved Africans.

What was the transatlantic slave trade?

Africans were captured and sold to the Americas, primarily to the Caribbean and South America, under poor conditions.

How did captives in the Americas maintain parts of their cultures?

They created Creole languages, preserved music with syncopated rhythms, and brought cooking knowledge, exemplified by dishes like gumbo.

How did the Columbian Exchange impact the environment?

It led to deforestation, soil depletion, and the introduction of invasive species, negatively affecting the environment.

What was the overall impact of the Columbian Exchange on both hemispheres?

It drastically increased populations in Afro-Eurasia while the Americas suffered from diseases and extensive deforestation.